Cylindrical baffle for yarn texturing air jet

ABSTRACT

This cylindrical baffle is supported for vertical and horizontal adjustment adjacent the exit end of the air jet so that the yarn and the pressurized air passing outwardly through the exit end of the air jet engages the cylindrical baffle. The yarn is directed in a semicircular path downwardly from the exit orifice of the air jet and beneath the lower portion of the cylindrical baffle. Some of the pressurized air is deflected downwardly by the baffle and forms a low pressure area between the exit end of the air jet and the baffle and beneath the yarn leaving the exit end of the air jet. Some of the pressurized air also follows the yarn in its semicircular path of travel beneath the lower portion of the baffle. The cylindrical baffle permits higher operating speeds, and imparts a round configuration to the textured yarn.

Price et al.

May 6, 1975 CYLINDRICAL BAFFLE FOR YARN TEXTURING AIR JET Primary Examiner-Louis K. Rimrodt 75 Inventors; Samuel T. Price, Kennedyville, Md.; g"g g: Seltzer Park Richard J. Polney, New Castle, Del. 0

[73] Assignee: Enterprise Machine and [57] ABSTRACT Development Corporation, New Castlev This cylindrical baffle lS supported for vertical and horizontal adjustment adjacent the exit end of the air [22] Fled: June 1974 jet so that the yarn and the pressurized air passing out 211 App] 4 1 555 wardly through the exit end of the air jet engages the cylindrical baffle. The yarn is directed in a semicircular path downwardly from the exit orifice of the air jet [52] US. Cl. 28/14 and beneath the Iowa pOrtiOn of the cylindrical [51] Int. Cl DOZg 1/16 s of the pressurized air is deflected down [58] Fleld of Search .t 28/14. 72.12; 57/34 B, wardly by the b ffl and forms a low pressure area b 57/157 F tween the exit end of the air jet and the baffle and beneath the yarn leaving the exit end of the air jet. Some [56] References of the pressurized air also follows the yarn in its semi- UNITED STATES PATENTS circular path of travel beneath the lower portion of 2,874,444 2 1959 Griset 28 i.4 the baffle- The Cylindrical baffle P higher P- 2,982.00() 5/1961 Gonsalves 28/l.4 ating speeds, and imparts a round configuration to the 3,055,080 9/1962 Claussen et a]... 28/l.4 textured yarn. 3,781,949 l/l974 Breen et al. t 28/].4 3,831,363 8/1974 Pike 28 14 6 Clams, 3 Drawing Flgures l l I I 1 i i 5' 40 I 50 Q1 5 file 51 /V//%)/// L M O Zl 7 i Y 1e IO 20 CYLINDRICAL RAFFLE FOR YARN TEXTURING AIR JET This invention relates generally to yarn texturing air jets and more particularly to a cylindrical baffle for such air jets to enhance the crimps, curls, and loops produced in the filaments of the yarn and to permit faster and more economical operation of the air jet.

The present invention is concerned particularly with yarn texturing air jets of the type having an elongate housing with a central bore extending therethrough and wherein the yarn enters one end of the air jet and passes out of the exit end. The pressurized air is di rected into the central bore of the housing to contact the yarn and pass outwardly through the exit end to impart crimps, curls and loops to the filaments as the yarn passes through the air jet. The textured yarn leaving the exit end of the air jet is usually directed at a right angle to the longitudinal path of travel of the yarn through the air jet.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a cylindrical baffle for a yarn texturing air jet which permits the yarn to be textured at a substantially higher speed than heretofore possible, and which imparts a round configuration to the yarn so as to provide better fabric cover when the yarn is utilized in the manufacture of textile goods therefrom.

In accordance with the present invention, the cylindrical baffle is supported for vertical and horizontal ad justment adjacent the exit end of the air jet and the lower portion of the baffle has a uniform radius for engaging and directing the yarn in a semicircular path downwardly from the exit orifice of the air jet and beneath the lower portion of the cylindrical baffle. The baffle is engaged by the yarn and the pressurized air passing outwardly through the exit orifice with some of the pressurized air being deflected downwardly and forming a low pressure area between the exit orifice and the baffle and beneath the yarn leaving the exit orifice. Also, some of the pressurized air follows the yarn in its semicircular path of travel beneath the lower portion of the baffle. After initial contact is made by the yarn against the cylindrical baffle passing directly from the exit orifice of the air jet, the yarn actually leaves contact with the lowest point of the cylindrical baffle and then again contacts the surface of the cylindrical baffle as it is directed upwardly and maintains contact until it leaves the cylindrical baffle, on the opposite side of the cylindrical baffle from the exit orifice of the air jet.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the description proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a yarn texturing air jet and illustrating the cylindrical baffle of the present invention supported adjacent the exit end of the air jet;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through the air jet and cylindrical baffle, being taken along the line 2-2 in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the central portion of FIG. 2, and with the cylindrical baffle adjusted to a lower position than that shown in FIG. 2.

The cylindrical baffle of the present invention will be described in connection with a particular type of yarn texturing air jet which forms the subject matter of co pending application Ser. No. 436,532, filed Jan. 25, 1974 and assigned to the same assignee as the present application. However, it is to be understood that the cylindrical baffle of the present invention may be used with other types of yarn texturing air jets. It has been found that relatively heavy denier yarn, of from about 1,500 denier to 4,000 denier, can be textured at rates of from 2 to 3 times faster than has heretofore been possible without the use of the cylindrical baffle. Also, when texturing relatively heavy denier yarns in conventional yarn texturing air jets, without the use of the present cylindrical baffle, the textured yarns have a flat configuration extending along one side. This flat configuration has been completely eliminated by use of the cylindrical baffle of the present invention and the yarn is round throughout its length. Thus, the round textured yarn has greater covering power so that it is possible to reduce the cost of the product being made from the yarn textured in accordance with the present invention.

The yarn texturing air jet illustrated in the drawings includes an elongate housing 10 having a central bore 11 extending therethrough and from the entrance end to the exit end thereof. A venturi 12 is supported for longitudinal adjustment in the central bore 11 and in the exit end of the housing 10. An inwardly tapering conical surface is provided on the inner or entrance end of the venturi 12 to define the exit end of a turbulent chamber. The outer end portion of the venturi I2 is fixed in a venturi cap 14 which is threadably supported on the threaded exit end portion of the housing 10 so that the venturi 12 may be longitudinally adjusted along the central bore 11 by rotation of the venturi cap 14. A lock ring 15 is threadably supported on the threaded exit end of the housing 10 and adjacent the venturi cap 14 so that the venturi 12 may be locked in adjusted position.

A yarn guiding needle 16 is positioned in the central bore I I of the housing 10 and its outer or entrance end is fixed in an end flange 17 which is suitably secured to the entrance end of the housing 10. An axial yarn guiding channel 18 extends throughout the length of the needle 16 for directing multifilament yarn through the needle 16 and through the venturi 12. An inlet pipe 20 is connected to the housing 10 for directing pressurized gas or air into the central bore 11 of the housing 10. One or more passageways 21 are provided in the needle 16 so that the pressurized air is moved along the inner end portion of the needle and into the turbulent cham her or zone provided between the exit end of the needle 16 and the entrance end of the venturi 12.

The multifilament yarn Y enters the entrance end of the air jet and passes through the axial yarn guiding channel 18 and the needle 16, through the turbulent chamber defined between the inner or exit end of the needle 16 and the entrance end of the venturi 12, through the venturi l2, and is then directed around and beneath the cylindrical baffle of the present invention, in a matter to be presently described. The yarn Y is then wound onto a suitable take-up package, not shown.

As is well known, the yarn Y is usually fed through the air jet with some percentage of over feed, that is, the yarn is fed into the air jet at a rate which is somewhat greater than the rate at which it is withdrawn from the air jet to permit the formation of crimps, curls and loops in the yarn as the turbulent air engages the filaments in the turbulent chamber. While only a single yarn Y is illustrated in the drawings, the yarn being uniformly textured throughout its length, it is to be understood that so-called core and effect yarns and slub yarns can also be produced on this type of air jet. It has been found that the cylindrical baffle of the present invention provides advantages when texturing yarn with any of these known processes.

In accordance with the present invention, means is provided for enhancing the crimps. curls and loops im parted to the yarn by the air jet and for texturing the yarn at two to three times the rate at which such yarn has heretofore been textured in the air jet. To this end, a baffle is supported adjacent the exit orifice for engaging the yarn and the escaping air pressure from the air jet. The lower portion of the baffle 30 is cylindrical and has a uniform radius for engaging and directing the yarn in a semicircular path downwardly from the exit orifice and beneath the lower portion of the baffle. As the baffle is engaged by the yarn and the pressurized air passing outwardly through the exit orifice of the air jet, some of the pressurized air is deflected downwardly to form a circular low pressure area, as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 2, between the exit orifice and the surface of the baffle 30 and beneath the yarn leaving the exit orifice.

Also, some of the pressurized air follows the yarn in its semicircular path of travel beneath the lower portion of the baffle 30 and draws the yarn away from the lower surface and out of engagement with the lower pe riphery of the cylindrical baffle. The portion of air which follows the yarn around the baffle 30 also follows the yarn until it leaves contact with the baffle at a point opposite the exit orifice and at substantially the level of the axis of the cylindrical baffle.

The cylindrical baffle 30 is illustrated as having a flat upper surface, indicated at 31, however it is to be understood that the baffle could be completely cylindrical, if desired. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the yarn initially engages a portion of the cylindrical baffle which is spaced below the axis of the cylindrical baffle. The cylindrical baffle 30 is illustrated in FIG. 2 as being at a higher position than the cylindrical baffle 30 illustrated in FIG. 3, and in all instances the axis of the semicircular lower portion of the baffle 30 will be positioned above the level of the exit orifice of the air jet.

The cylindrical baffle 30 is supported on the housing 10 of the air jet for both vertical and horizontal adjustment of the axis of the semicircular lower portion of the baffle relative to exit orifice of the air jet. To this end, a support block 32 is fixed on the upper portion of the elongate housing 10 and a support bar 33 is supported for longitudinal adjustment at one end on the block 32 and extends forwardly above the exit orifice of the air jet. The rear end of the support bar 32 is slotted, as at 34 (FIG. 1) and a threaded screw 35 extends through the slotted opening 34 and into the housing or support block 32 so that the support block 33 may be adjusted forwardly and rearwardly relative to the air jet.

Guide legs 36, 37 extend downwardly from the forward end of the support bar 33 and on opposite sides of the cylindrical baffle 30. Means is provided for sup porting the cylindrical baffle for vertical adjustment beneath the support bar 33 and between the guide legs 36 and 37 and includes a vertical control shaft 40 supported for rotation adjacent its upper end in the forward end of the support bar 33. An enlarged head end 41 is fixed on the upper end of the control shaft 40 and extends above the support bar 33 for manually imparting rotation to the control shaft 40. The lower end of the control shaft 40 is threaded and mates with a threaded bore 42 in the upper surface of the cylindrical baffle 30 so that rotation of the enlarged head 41 imparts vertical adjustment to the cylindrical baffle 30.

Means is provided for locking the vertical control shaft in adjusted position to prevent rotation thereof and to thereby maintain the cylindrical baffle 30 in adjusted position and includes a said screw 43 threadably supported in the forward end of the support bar 33 and having its inner end in engagement with the control shaft 40. A vertically extending guide pin 44 is fixed at its upper end in the forward end of the support bar 33. The upper portion of the baffle 30 is provided with a vertical bore therein for receiving the lower end of the guide pin 44 to guide the cylindrical baffle 30 during vertical adjustment thereof.

Depending upon the size and type of yarn being textured, the cylindrical baffle 30 may be horizontally and vertically adjusted so that it is positioned closely adja cent to the exit end of the air jet. Once the yarn is run ning through the air jet, the vertical position of the cylindrical baffle 30 is adjusted by rotation of the wheel 41 until stability in the thread line of the yarn leaving the cylindrical baffle is noted. Also, the position of the cylindrical baffle 30 is varied until the proper noise level and pitch of the air is obtained. After a little practice, the operator can recognize the proper adjusted position of the baffle to obtain the best texturing of the yarn.

While it is not completely understood why the cylindrical baffle 30 permits higher operating speeds and enhances the crimps, curls and loops in the yarn, it has been verified that a definite low pressure area is provided beneath the yarn as it leaves the air jet. This low pressure area is sufficient strength to support objects placed therein during operation of the air jet. Also, it may be possible that the provision of the cylindrical baffle 30 at the exit end of the air jet also causes some of the air pressure to echo back into the texturing chamber of the air jet to set up vibrations of a particu lar harmonic frequency in the chamber and thereby control the amount of turbulence in the turbulent chamber. Also, it is noted during operation that air is deflected downwardly and away from opposite sides of the yarn by the cylindrical lower portion of the cylindrical baffle 30 and this reflection of portions of the air may also contribute to the round configuration which is imparted to the textured yarn. The fact that the yarn is drawn out of engagement with the lower surface of the cylindrical baffle 30 is also believed to contribute to the fact that the textured yarn has a round configuration throughout its length.

In the drawings and specification, there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, and although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

That which is claimed is:

I. In a yarn texturing air jet of the type including an elongate housing having a central bore therethrough, an entrance end for passage of yarn into said air jet, an exit orifice for passage of yarn from said air jet, and means for directing pressurized air into the central bore of said housing to contact the yarn and pass outwardly through the exit end of said air jet to impart crimps, curls and loops to the filaments as the yarn passes through said air jet; the combination therewith of means for enhancing the crimps, curls and loops imparted to the yarn by said air jet, said means comprising a baffle, means for supporting said baffle on said air jet for both vertical and horizontal adjustment adjacent said exit orifice of said air jet for engaging the yarn extending therefrom, the lower portion of said baffle being cylindrical and having a solid surface of uniform radius for engaging and directing the yarn in a semicircular path downwardly from said exit orifice and beneath the lower portion of said baffle, said baffle being engaged by the yarn and the pressurized air passing outwardly through said exit orifice of said air jet with some of the pressurized air being deflected to form a low pressure area between said exit orifice and said baffle and beneath the yarn leaving said exit orifice of said air jet, and with some of the pressurized air following the yarn in its semicircular path of travel beneath the lower portion of said baffle.

2. A yarn texturing air jet according to claim 1 wherein the axis of the semicircular lower portion of said baffle is positioned above the level of said exit orifice of said air jet.

3. A yarn texturing air jet according to claim 1 wherein said horizontal adjustment means comprises a block fixed on the upper portion of said elongate housing of said air jet, a support bar supported for longitudinal adjustment at one end on said block and extending forwardly above said exit orifice of the air jet, a pair of guide legs extending downwardly from the other end of said support bar and on opposite sides of said baffle, and means supporting said baffle for vertical adjustment beneath said other end of said support bar and between said guide legs.

4. A yarn texturing air jet according to claim 3 wherein said vertical adjustment means comprises a vertical control shaft supported for rotation adjacent its upper end in said other end of said support bar and including an enlarged head end extending above said support bar for imparting rotation to said control shaft, and the lower end of said control shaft being threaded and mating with a threaded bore in the upper surface of said baffle so that rotation of said enlarged head imparts vertical adjustment to said baffle.

5. A yarn texturing air jet according to claim 4 including means for locking said vertical control shaft in adjusted position to prevent rotation thereof and to maintain said baffle in adjusted position.

6. A yarn texturing air jet according to claim 4 including a vertically extending guide pin having an upper end fixed in said other end of said support bar, and the upper portion of said baffle having a vertical bore therein for receiving the lower end of said guide pin to guide said baffle during vertical adjustment thereof. 

1. In a yarn texturing air jet of the type including an elongate housing having a central bore therethrough, an entrance end for passage of yarn into said air jet, an exit orifice for passage of yarn from said air jet, and means for directing pressurized air into the central bore of said housing to contact the yarn and pass outwardly through the exit end of said air jet to impart crimps, curls and loops to the filaments as the yarn passes through said air jet; the combination therewith of means for enhancing the crimps, curls and loops imparted to the yarn by said air jet, said means comprising a baffle, means for supporting said baffle on said air jet for both vertical and horizontal adjustment adjacent said exit orifice of said air jet for engaging the yarn extending therefrom, the lower portion of said baffle being cylindrical and having a solid surface of uniform radius for engaging and directing the yarn in a semicircular path downwardly from said exit orifice and beneath the lower portion of said baffle, said baffle being engaged by the yarn and the pressurized air passing outwardly through said exit orifice of said air jet with some of the pressurized air being deflected to form a low pressure area between said exit orifice and said baffle and beneath the yarn leaving said exit orifice of said air jet, and with some of the pressurized air following the yarn in its semicircular path of travel beneath the lower portion of said baffle.
 2. A yarn texturing air jet according to claim 1 wherein the axis of the semicircular lower portion of said baffle is positioned above the level of said exit orifice of said air jet.
 3. A yarn texturing air jet according to claim 1 wherein said horizontal adjustment means comprises a block fixed on the upper portion of said elongate housing of said air jet, a support bar supported for longitudinal adjustment at one end on said block and extending forwardly above said exit orifice of the air jet, a pair of guide legs extending downwardly from the other end of said support bar and on opposite sides of said baffle, and means supporting said baffle for vertical adjustment beneath said other end of said support bar and between said guide legs.
 4. A yarn texturing air jet according to claim 3 wherein said vertical adjustment means comprises a vertical control shaft supported for rotation adjacent its upper end in said other end of said support bar and including an enlarged head end extending above said support bar for imparting rotation to said control shaft, and the lower end of said control shaft being threaded and mating with a threaded bore in the upper surface of said baffle so that rotation of said enlarged head imparts vertical adjustment to said baffle.
 5. A yarn texturing air jet according to claim 4 including means for locking said vertical control shaft in adjusted position to prevent rotation thereof and to maintain said baffle in adjusted position.
 6. A yarn texturing air jet according to claim 4 including a vertically extending guide pin having an upper end fixed in said other end of said support bar, and the upper portion of said baffle having a vertical bore therein for receiving the lower end of said guide pin to guide said baffle during vertical adjustment thereof. 